LiVe Well: Dr. Tyler Nelson on organ donation

Organ donation is a tender and timely topic. April is National Donate Life Month and a great time to register online to become an organ donor. The number of people on the waiting list to receive a donated organ far exceeds the number of donors.

Approximately three in every 1,000 people die in circumstances that make organ donation possible. In most cases, suitable donors die in a hospital while on artificial support. Whether organs are suitable for donation is determined by a doctor at the time of death. Even if only one organ is donated, that is still one life that has been saved or improved.

“Organ donation is a beautiful, selfless act,” said Dr. Tyler Nelson, an anesthesiologist at Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center. “A single person can donate up to eight vital organs: heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, intestines, as well as tissue, corneas, and bone marrow. The retrieval of these life-saving organs is always done with the utmost respect.”

As an anesthesiologist, Nelson has been able to help on occasion by maintaining the deceased’s vital functions until the transplant team arrives. This is an emotional and tender time for the family of the deceased.

“Sometimes the family will want to wait with their deceased loved one,” said Nelson. “I have tried to make an extra effort to ensure this experience is as pleasant as possible by showing general respect and admiration to the family and their loved one for choosing to donate life.”

Nelson suggested that it is a good idea to have a conversation with family members about organ donation. Let your loved ones know in advance what your wishes are in terms of organ donation. Help them understand that you wish to find the positive in death by helping others live more fully.

“Be willing to be an organ donor, and let your family know,” Nelson said. “If the circumstances of your death allow, doctors will then make a determination of what organs are viable for donation. Family members will generally be required to give final approval.”

There is no age limit for organ donation. Obviously, younger people in good health will have more to offer, but older people may still have viable and useful organs and tissue to donate. Viability is determined only after every effort has been made to save the person’s life, and death has occurred.

“Families are not rushed to make decisions about organ donation when a loved one passes,” Nelson reassured. “Once consent for donation is given, transplant teams need to be organized and matching organ recipients found. This usually happens within 24-36 hours after death. Neither the donor nor their family pays for expenses associated with the donation process.”

Organ donation does not interfere with an open casket funeral service. Normal surgical techniques are used to retrieve organs and tissue. All incisions are surgically closed. Organ retrieval is always done with respect.

“I encourage people to register to be organ donors,” said Nelson. “Have that conversation with your family and let your loved ones know that you have registered to be an organ donor. It really is a selfless act to help others.”

Outlive yourself through organ donation. Register online (www.donatelife.net) or sign up when visiting the DMV. The public is invited to commemorate National Donate Life Month at a special flag-raising ceremony on Friday, April 6 at 11 a.m. near the North Main Entrance at Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center.

This LiVe Well column represents collaboration between healthcare professionals from the medical staffs of our not-for-profit Intermountain Healthcare hospitals and The Spectrum & Daily News.